15 - How to Escape the Reverse Harem Cliché
Chapter 15
“I’m glad to hear you are well.”
“Yes. You look well too, young master. They say Espers have superior bodies to ordinary people, is that true?”
“It is.”
“Then I will head to my room. You should rest well too, young master. We have to travel by carriage again starting tomorrow.”
“Rest well, young lady.”
“Yes.”
It was a relief that she didn’t hold me back this time. For some reason, talking to her gives me a headache.
While Valerian was staying here, I desperately avoided him. Valerian probably noticed that I was avoiding him. It was incredibly obvious.
Even so, the young Valerian, before he became so twisted, either didn’t care about such things or made attempts to speak to me a few times. Of course, they all failed because I unilaterally avoided him.
This time too, I had intended to openly furrow my brow and brush past Valerian.
But my steps stopped at the stairs. Valerian hadn’t grabbed me.
Right. The conversation had naturally flowed that way anyway… It might be more natural to ask him than the Count and Countess.
“Is Orion Spiritual Body well?”
At my question, Valerian, who had been heading towards his room, also stopped and turned to look at me.
His expression hadn’t changed. He looked at me with his usual indifferent gaze, nodded lightly, and replied.
“He’s an Esper, so he must be well.”
“No, that’s not what I mean… I was wondering if something had happened.”
Was he not understanding my meaning, or was he simply not interested from the start?
I was subtly asking Valerian if anything had happened to cause a change in Orion’s state of mind at the Academy, but Valerian tilted his head, looking as if he couldn’t understand my words.
Sigh, forget it. I tried to hint at it, but if he rejects this way of speaking, there must be a reason. In the end, I shook my head, saying it was nothing.
“It did seem like the Academy wasn’t suited for him.”
“……”
“His complexion has faded, unlike when he first enrolled.”
“……”
“If you’re concerned enough to ask about his well-being, why not send him a letter? If this place, the Pascianne Count’s estate, is indeed where Orion Spiritual Body sent letters every day.”
I had sent countless letters, but I never replied to him.
I didn’t want to give him even a sliver of hope. I was simply anxious and scared to be involved with that child.
I had naturally assumed Orion was adapting well to the Academy. The original work also briefly mentioned him as an outstanding student during his Academy days.
…But he wasn’t suited for it. His complexion had faded.
And since he enrolled at such a young age, it must have been even harder. A pang of pain shot through my chest. It wasn’t entirely my fault, but my existence was partly responsible for pushing him into the Academy.
“I have spoken out of turn. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Valerian, who had been watching me stop by the railing, finished his polite farewell and disappeared into his room.
I remained there for a long time after he was gone.
I could only hope he endured it well, even if it was difficult. Selfishly, I wanted to escape the original work, but I hoped Orion would adapt well to the original story and walk a solid path as the male lead.
Only after steeling my resolve did I descend the stairs with brisk steps.
\ \ *
The carriage heading to the capital was quite simple. This was because the Countess, acting as if I would never Manifest as a Guide or Esper, had minimized our luggage.
A typical mother might have tried to appease me by suggesting we travel and shop while we were in the capital, but she said we would return immediately after the examination.
It was a scene that Valerian might have found strange. His parents showing no interest in their son leaving for the Imperial Academy after Manifesting as a high-ranking Esper. For Valerian, who had lived his life being treated as an Esper, it was incomprehensible.
So, I worried he might look at us, the family, with his usual sarcastic gaze, but unexpectedly, Valerian showed no further interest in our family matters.
“Did you take your medicine? Do you have extra? Did you pack it properly?”
“Yes, Mother. Don’t worry.”
“Your body still feels warm, so you must take your medicine on time. Understand?”
“Yes.”
It’s suspicious, as always. It’s been ages since the fever broke, yet she’s still using the fever as an excuse to mention that suspicious medicine?
My head had been throbbing since morning, possibly from stress. It would be best to be careful, as I might be forced to swallow the medicine in front of the Countess if I made it obvious.
With that, I placed the bag filled with white pills into my luggage and boarded the carriage with the Countess.
Fortunately, Aiden and Valerian were to take a different carriage. Originally, the four of us were supposed to ride in the same carriage, but the Countess had vehemently refused, shaking her head, which led to us using an additional carriage.
“Aiden. Just a moment.”
Just before boarding the carriage, I called Aiden over and handed him something I was holding.
“What is this?”
“Please give this to Orion Spiritual Body.”
“Orion Restro? Isn’t this a letter?”
“Yes. You’ll be attending the same Academy. Please give it to him when you see him. I’m asking you.”
“…Alright.”
I replied that it wasn’t anything significant to Aiden, who was openly showing his displeasure, and then boarded my carriage first.
Soon after Aiden also boarded his carriage, we were able to depart for the capital.
Naturally, the capital was magnificent.
Arriving after several days, it was incomparably more splendid and beautiful than the Pascianne Count’s territory.
As someone who could never even dream of traveling in Europe, a common student bucket list item in my previous life, I opened my eyes wide in wonder at seeing buildings that looked like they belonged in art textbooks.
I expected to be scolded for my lack of refinement, but fortunately, the Countess didn’t seem to pay much attention to me. She was lost in deep thought the entire carriage ride. Around the time the capital came into view, she handed a pouch of gold coins to a servant and said something, after which her expression worsened.
I was curious about what could make her so serious about those gold coins, but upon arriving in the capital, I understood their utility.
“What? The examination is today?”
“Yes. You can go get examined right away and then return.”
According to the plan, I was supposed to have it done in two days, but the gold coins she presented seemed to have worked effectively on the checkpoint staff.
I wasn’t the only one flustered. Aiden and Valerian, who had disembarked with me, were also looking at the Countess with furrowed brows.
“Mother. Then what about me?”
“You will have your rank measured as scheduled with Prince Astolphe.”
“Hah, really. I’m starting to feel a little disappointed.”
No one laughed at Aiden’s joke.
Fearing I might arouse Valerian’s suspicion, I nodded in agreement, waved at Aiden, and distanced myself.
Sensing my constant wariness, Valerian bowed first and excused himself. Once I confirmed he had completely left, I smiled at Aiden and said.
“Aiden. I’m going to get my examination first.”
“Ah, should I just get mine done right away too?”
“You get yours done as scheduled. You must be tired.”
“Either way, I’ll wait outside. Finish your examination safely. There’s nothing to worry about, Laila.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Aiden whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, offering encouragement and tidied my bonnet.
At that moment, the bonnet’s ribbon came slightly undone. Aiden, out of habit, reached out to tie it, but his hand brushed against my chin.
“Ouch!”
“Ah.”
Why is there so much static electricity today? It’s not even winter.
Annoyed, I pulled away from Aiden’s hand and roughly tied the ribbon myself, but Aiden urgently called out to me.
“Laila, wait a moment!”
“What are you doing, Laila? Let’s go quickly.”
But the Countess was faster. Her strong hand grabbed me and pulled me along roughly.
Aiden’s desperate hand reached towards me but ultimately couldn’t touch me.
Did I forget something? He looked like he was about to say something very important. I’ll talk to him after the examination.
I shouldn’t have thought so carelessly.
“Young Lady Pascianne. Please stand in this line.”
Inside the large dome-shaped building, it was quite crowded. Judging by the varied appearances, it seemed to be a crowd gathered from all over.
Amidst the chaos, an employee from inside exchanged glances with the Countess and then led me towards a tent, directing me to stand in that line.
This line had far fewer people than the entrance I saw when I came in, making it quiet. It seemed to be a special line for those who bought their way through, like the Countess.
“Laila. Finish your examination well. I’ll be waiting outside.”
“Yes.”
Even though I knew nothing would happen, my breathing quickened.
Even after the Countess left, I couldn’t control my pounding heart. The headache that had been throbbing since morning seemed to be getting worse. Moreover, due to the crowd, I felt like my energy was being drained out of me.
As an introvert, I tend to lose energy in crowded places, so I assumed it was just exacerbated by being around so many people after a long time.
So, I wanted to get the examination over with as quickly as possible and return to the Count’s territory with peace of mind.
“Laila?”
The familiar voice made my headache worse.
I lifted my head to see who was calling me and my eyes met with a man surrounded by countless people.
The most beautiful golden hair I had ever seen, and clear blue eyes that sparkled like a beautiful sea. His voice was a little lower than the last time I heard it.
“Laila!”
Orion, who had been looking annoyed and stern with the people around him just moments ago, recognized me and began to approach urgently, unable to hide his delight.
Suddenly, all eyes were on me, and in that moment, I felt something drain out of my body.
I hadn’t been taught this, but it was incredibly clear.
…The Guiding is leaking from my body right now.
I’m doomed. The thought made my vision blur, and I ran out of the checkpoint without realizing it, fleeing.
